The Obidient Movement has suspended its call for public donations following public outrage over the announcement of a nationwide birthday rally scheduled for July 19, for the celebration of former presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
PUNCH Online had reported that the movement announced plans for a nationwide rally to celebrate Obi’s 64th birthday.
The group on Monday said four dedicated bank accounts had been created to fund the rally activities, which is jointly mangaged by three individuals named, Serah Ibrahim, Ezeokoli Blessing, and John Alor.
This announcement sparked concerns on accountability, the impact, and the necessity of the monetary aspect of the rally activity.
However, in a statement on Tuesday signed by National Coordinator Dr Yunusa Tanko, Director of Mobilisation Morris Monye, and Director of Strategic Communications and Media Nana Kazaure, the group acknowledged concerns raised by Nigerians about the announcement of donation account details linked to the event.
“We have received feedback and concerns regarding the recent announcement of donation accounts of the July 19 rally as a birthday celebration for H.E Peter Obi.
“We acknowledge that the release of donation account details and communication without adequate context may have created confusion and raised concerns.
“We take full responsibility for that and we sincerely apologise too,” the statement partly read.
Announcing the suspension of donation drives, the leadership of the movement urged supporters to “allocate your resources and lend a helping hand to those in need.”
Clarifying the intent of the rally, the group said it would be held under the theme: “From Compassion to Purpose: Obidients in Action for a New Possible Nigeria.”
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The statement added, “The July 19th National Birthday Rally is a day of national reflection, civic action, and a recommitment to the values that brought us together as a movement.”
The organisers described the event as “a people-powered day of service, mobilisation, and political awakening across Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT,” during which participants will “feed the hungry, visit the sick, assist the less privileged, engage with grassroots communities, and raise political consciousness.”
A central focus of the event, the group added, will be to demand electoral reform through the campaign tagged #PassOurINECReform.
The group said, “Citizens will use this moment to urge the National Assembly and key institutions to act urgently to reform our electoral system.”
While noting that Obi’s values continue to inspire the movement, the group stressed that the event was not merely a celebration of an individual.
“While H.E Peter Obi’s integrity and values have inspired this movement, the rally is not necessarily about celebrating an individual alone, it is also about confronting our national crisis with the values H.E Peter Obi represents — which are discipline, empathy, accountability, and a deep commitment to the common good,” it added.
They also pledged to improve communication going forward and ensure coordination.
“This rally is for every Nigerian who believes that this country can still work and who is willing to take action to make it so.
“Let us gather for introspection not to only cheer, but to reflect not for entertainment, but for engagement and encouragement to commit to a mission,” the statement concluded.
